An en bloc capsulectomy is a type of breast implant removal surgery, or explant surgery, to remove both the breast implant and the scar tissue capsule all together, without opening the capsule, ensuring that nothing within it leaks into the surrounding area. En bloc capsulectomy is preferred in a few different situations:

  • When you have a ruptured implant, to ensure nothing escapes into the surrounding tissue
  • Due to Breast Implant Illness. Breast Implant Illness is a rare autoimmune reaction to the implants, or the scar tissue surrounding the implants, and causes symptoms like endocrine dysfunction, digestive issues, brain fog, fatigue, hair loss, joint pain, rashes and skin problems and headaches. It’s still somewhat of a mystery, but thought to be due to contamination, which is why it’s so important to initially choose a board certified plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation surgery
  • Due to capsular contracture. Breast implant capsular contracture is a complication that occurs when the scar tissue that usually forms around your implant to help keep it in place, instead tightens and squeezes the implant, potentially resulting in chronic pain and a distorted breast shape, making the affected breast rise higher on the chest than the other.

En bloc capsulectomy surgery is preferred in these situations – and especially in cases of Breast Implant Illness – because there can be residual contamination in that scar tissue that’s firing at your immune system. And remember, it’s that contamination that is thought to lead to the chronic inflammation and autoimmune response—in other words, bacteria getting into the scar tissue and causing Breast Implant Illness. En bloc capsulectomy is not something to undergo lightly. It’s a lengthy, complex procedure that requires larger incisions that will in turn create larger scars and more scar tissue, so it should only be considered in medically necessary situations.

As with all surgeries, en bloc capsulectomy cost will of course vary by the particulars of your case and your choice of doctor, so it’s important to do your research to ensure you’re receiving the best possible treatment for your budget.

Is En Bloc Capsulectomy and Capsulectomy the Same Thing?

They’re very similar, but there’s an important difference between the two. To start, a capsulectomy is the removal of the breast implant and the breast implant capsule. Sound familiar? The difference between the two is in the removal. With an en bloc capsulectomy, as you know, the implant and the scar tissue are removed without rupturing or cutting into the breast implant capsule. Whereas a capsulectomy involves an incision in the capsule, removing the implant, then removing the capsule. Typically, a capsulectomy is preferred when the breast implant capsule is fused to the muscle or rib cage.

Ultimately, the decision to remove your breast implants is a both very personal one and can be medically necessary. The method of removal, be it en bloc capsulectomy, capsulectomy or another method, should be discussed thoroughly with your board certified plastic surgeon.

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